The surface of the desk needs to allow a place so you can position a monitor directly in front of you, at least 20 inches away. The desk should provide a stable work surface and not be wobbly. The work surface of the desk should have a dull or a matte finish to help minimize reflections and glare. A desk that is adjustable may be the ideal solution if multiple people will be using the same desk.

In choosing your desk, you would have to look at how you plan to use the desk. Ask yourself these questions: Would I be using this writing desk solely for writing? Do I intend to use this for other purposes, such as for storage? Do I want this desk to also be a piece of home decoration aside from writing purposes? If, for instance, your answer to the latter question is yes, you might opt for the roll-top desk which allows you to keep your work hidden while being aesthetically pleasant. You would also have to keep in mind the type of structure of your house. For example, if your house has dark wooden paneling, you might want to choose a type of wood with a shade that complements it.

The most common type of office was the home office and those with the means had an employee who would work from that office. These secretaries were nearly always male and they worked directly with their employer. The most common type of business was the running of their estates which would mean hours spent tallying incoming and outgoing finances. This made the secretary desk a vital tool for the job.